Patent GB-1149428-A (GB)
Title: Mechanical golfer
IPC: A63B69/40
Filed: 1966-12-21
Abstract: 1,149,428. Mechanical golfer. GOLFCRAFT Inc. 21 Dec., 1966 [27 Dec., 1965], No. 57267/66. Heading A6D. In an apparatus for swinging a golf club through a sequence of backswing, foreswing and followthrough in a manner simulating the swing of a competent golfer, the combination comprising: a frame 12; motor means 42 mounted on the frame; a main shaft 28 rotatably mounted on the frame, drive arm 61 fixed thereon and drive means 57, 54, 53 releasably connecting the motor means to the drive arm for rotating same through a preselected backswing path and releasing same at the end of .said backswing path; a radial club arm 34 fixed to the end of said main shaft for rotation therewith in a radial plane; wrist means 28 hinged freely on the free end of the arm for pivotal motion with respect thereto in said radial plane; means for releasably gripping the handle of a golf club, the club gripping means being rotatably fixed to the wrist means for rolling movement with respect thereto about the axis of the club handle; interacting means on the free arm end and gripping means for controlling the roll position of the gripping means on the wrist as a function of the hinged position of the wrist means on the end of the arm; a spring arm 66 rotatably supported on the main shaft; * an overrunning latch 81 for engaging the spring arm to the drive arm during the backswing of the drive arm but allowing the drive arm to move away from the spring arm during followthrough; spring means 71 disposed between the spring arm and frame for input of potential energy thereto by the spring arm during the backswing and for urging the main shaft through the foreswing upon release of the drive arm by the drive means; brake means 91 having one portion fixed with respect to main shaft and a further portion at least indirectly connected to the frame actuable during followthrough to slow the motion of the club. As shown on starting the motor the disc 57 is rotated through gear train 49 to revolve the drive fin 58 in a clockwise direction which engages the drive arm 61 causing a corresponding clockwise rotation thereof and of the shaft 28 and club arm 34 affixed thereto through the backswing portion of the club stroke, the drive arm 61 engaging the rearward end 85 of the lever arm 84 of the latch 81 and so carries along the spring arm 66, thus stretching the spring 71. During the backswing, the club C is preferably manually hinged in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 2, on the stub shafts 118 and 119 (Fig. 7, not shown) past a vertical position to simulate the cocking of the wrist of the golfer during the backswing, and which results in a rolling of the club C about the axis of its shaft S on the bearings 136 and 137 (Fig. 7, not shown) due to interaction of the bevel gears 139 and 144 (Fig. 8 not shown), in the wrist device 38. As the drive disc 57 continues to rotate, the drive arm 61 eventually reaches the top of the backswing and is released by the drive pin 58 when the stretched pin 71 strongly accelerates the spring arm 66 and, because of the latch 81, the drive arm 61 and club arm 34 downwardly in a counterclockwise direction through the foreswing. As the club arm 34 begins the foreswing, the club head C is accelerated angularly therewith and is pulled radially outwardly with reaspect to the axis of the main shaft 28 by centrifugal force as indicated at position E of Figure 2, thus hinging on the stub shafts 118 and 119 and moving toward a position of axial alignment with the club arm 34 as the club arm 34 sweeps downwardly towards its depending, solid line position of Figure 2. As the hinging continues, the club C is rolled about its shaft S by the gears 139 and 144 so as to bring the face of the head H into the proper relationship with the ball B as such ball is approached and struck. As the move ment of the club arm 34 continues, the club shaft S advances to a position of axial alignment therewith and then swings therepast as would generally be the case when a competent golfer uncocks his wrists at ball impact. As the arm 34 moves through the followthrough stroke the club head continues to hinge and advance with respect to the club arm, the wrist device 38 simultaneously rolling the club shaft to closely simulate the followthrough stroke of a competent golfer. After the ball B is struck by the club C and the arm 34 swings in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Figure 2 into the followthrough portion of the stroke, the spring arm 66 and spring 71 soon become axially aligned. Acceleration of the club arm by the spring then stops and the spring 71 begins to decelerate the arm 66 as inertia carries it past such axially aligned position. As the spring arm 66 decelerates, the drive arm 61 moves away from the rear end 85 of the latch arm 84, i.e., overruns the latch 81, due to the inertia thereof and of the club arm 34 and club C. The resulting relative rotation between the rotating shaft 28 and the decelerating spring arm 66 is frictionally resisted by the brake 91. When the club arm 34 reaches its normal topmost position during followthrough, preferably near or somewhat beyond position F of Figure 2, the spring 71 and brake 91 act to stop the club arm 34. Other modifications are described.